GAME MANAGEMENT SECTION ANNUALREPORT FY2020-2021
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G A M E M A NAGEM EN T SECTIO N A N N U A L R E P O R T F Y 2 0 2 0 –2 0 2 1
Table of Contents Game Management Section Annual Report Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................ 1 A Message from the Chief .............................................................................................................................2 Annual Report Summary .......................................................................................................................... 3–4 Alligator Program ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Black Bear Program..................................................................................................................................... 6–9 Deer Program ............................................................................................................................................10–13 Forest Management Unit .......................................................................................................................14–15 Hunter Development Program ............................................................................................................. 16–17 Migratory Bird Program ................................................................................................................................ 18 Private Lands Program ...........................................................................................................................19–20 Sapelo Island NERR................................................................................................................................. 21–22 Urban Wildlife Program ...................................................................................................................... 23–24 Wild Turkey Program ........................................................................................................................... 25–26 Region 1 (Northwest Georgia) ........................................................................................................... 27–28 Region 2 (Northeast Georgia) ........................................................................................................... 29–30 Region 3 (Eastern Georgia) ................................................................................................................. 31–32 Region 4 (East Georgia) ...................................................................................................................... 33–34 Region 5 (Southwest Georgia) .......................................................................................................... 35–36 Region 6 (Central-South Georgia) .................................................................................................... 37–38 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 39
A Message from the Chief
Dear GM Family: Each year this report looks back at some of your
accomplishments, but it does not come close to describing all the
amazing work you do each year. None of these accomplishments
would be possible were it not for the contributions of every employee
in the section. Each of you are an asset to the Division and the citizens
of the state. Whether it is a hunter, homeowner, or hiker, you do an
incredible job responding to the needs of our customers. Thank you for
doing your part to help manage the public natural resources that have
been entrusted to our care. The work we do to conserve, enhance, and
promote Georgia’s wildlife resources will leave behind a mark. Alan Isler
Game Management Section Chief
However, the greatest mark we will leave is in the lives of those we Wildlife Resources Division
serve. “What is a person, if not the marks they leave behind.” V.E. Schwab” Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources
1. WRD Mission: Conserve and promote fishing, hunting and wildlife resources
through management, education, and scientific research.
2. WRD Vision: Conserving diverse, healthy populations of fish and wildlife while
maintaining related outdoor opportunities for every generation to enjoy.
3. Game Management Overview: Manages one million acres of land and 125 Wildlife
Management Areas (WMAs) for hunting, fishing, wildlife enhancement, bird
watching, hiking, camping and conservation education. Game Management conducts
research and surveys to monitor hunter harvests, wildlife populations and habitats.
These efforts support setting regulations and other management activities as well as
providing technical assistance to landowners, private organizations, and
governmental agencies.
HUNTING SHOOTING SPORTS
• 642,545 residents hunt in Georgia. • More than 1.2 million people
• Hunters spend more than 8.9 million participate in recreational target
days a year in the field. shooting in Georgia.
• Hunters account for $977 million in • Shooters account for more than $532
retail sales in Georgia, with a $1.6 million in retail sales with a total
billion ripple effect each year. economic impact of $644 million
• Hunting in Georgia is responsible for • Shooting provides over $243 million
23,996 jobs, $600 million in in salaries.
salaries/wages/earnings, $106 million • Shooting provides $41 million in state
in state and local taxes, and $145 and local taxes and $58.8 million in
million in federal tax revenue. federal taxes each year.
Annual Report Summary
FY 2020–2021
Management Unit, the Urban Wildlife Program and
statewide management programs for white-tailed
deer, wild turkeys, black bears, alligators and
migratory birds.
Game Management leveraged additional license
revenue with federal wildlife restoration funds to
increase services and technical assistance to
citizens, to improve habitat and access on WMAs
Tractor at sunrise before completing work on Perry Dove Field. and to create more awareness through
educational programs. In FY21, the Game
The Game Management Section manages 1.1 Management Section worked:
million acres of land on 125 Wildlife Management
Areas (WMAs) for hunting, wildlife enhancement, To improve wildlife habitat by:
wildlife observation, hiking, camping and • Using prescribed fire on 67,900 acres to
conservation education. This section also conducts enhance wildlife habitat.
research and surveys to monitor hunter harvests, • Managing 8,900+ acres of wildlife openings.
wildlife populations and habitats. These efforts • Planting 2,980+ acres of dove fields.
support setting regulations and other management • Managing 5,100+ acres of wetlands.
activities as well as providing technical assistance
to landowners, private organizations and other To improve WMA access by improving and maintaining:
governmental agencies. • 3,000 + miles of roads and firebreaks.
• 1,482 bridges, fords, and culverts.
• 942 miles of trails.
• 153 campgrounds.
• 292 parking areas.
• 2,353 gates and water control structures.
And to manage healthy wildlife populations by:
• Banding 2,900 ducks, doves and geese.
• Checking 981 black bear bait stations for
black bear activity.
• Collected 1,351 samples from white-tailed
deer to monitor for chronic wasting disease,
WRD staff tagging alligator. which has not been detected in Georgia.
• Surveying 184+ miles of rivers, creeks,
The Game Management Section also includes coastal areas, and reservoir shorelines
programs such as the Private Lands Program, the monitoring American alligator populations.
Hunter Development Program, the Forest
Annual Report Summary
FY 2020–2021
Other Notable Accomplishments
On Wildlife Management Areas:
• 67,276 hunters harvested 8,115 deer.
• 15,905 hunters harvested 1,069 turkeys.
• 67,900 acres of prescribed fire.
Customer Service Excellence:
• Private Lands Program biologists provided technical assistance to 372 new contacts
and completed 194 follow-up contacts for landowners that manage over 210,000 acres
in 121 counties.
• Assisted 87 contacts across 123,211 acres with site-specific deer management needs
as part of the Georgia Deer Management Assistance Program.
• The Urban Wildlife Program aided 2,626 callers and provided on-site technical assistance
to 800 wildlife conflicts in metro Atlanta.
FY 21 Expenditures
$1,053,614
$5,622,971
$18,005,228
$7,660,781
Federal Funds License Revenue Other Funds State Funds
Alligator Program Highlights
FY 2020–2021
There were 1,030 alligator hunters drawn for the
Number of Alligators Harvested
quota hunt. New this season, Fort Stewart was
issued 30 tags and designated as a stand-alone 400
harvest zone. This enabled base biologists to 350
handle a draw for alligator opportunity exclusive to 300
the base but open to the public. 250
200
Georgia alligator hunters harvested 372 alligators 150
during the 2020 alligator hunting season. This is up 100
slightly for the 4th straight year. The 272 successful 50
hunters each hunted an average of 3.0 nights, and 0
most were accompanied by 2 assistants.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Number of alligators harvested between 2004-2020.
Alligator Harvest Length
200 Reed Bingham State Park opened for limited
150 alligator opportunity in Zone 4. The hunt was well
received, and Little Ocmulgee State Park is
100
planning their first hunt in 2021.
50
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Average Maximum
Length of alligators harvested.
Average length of harvested alligators was 103
inches, which is very similar to the long-term
average of 100 inches. The longest alligator
harvested in 2020 was 164 inches, almost identical
to the long-term average of 161 inches. These size
metrics are very stable over the long term,
suggesting that hunters are selecting for alligators
in the 8-foot size or bigger category. The legal Alligator hunters with successful 9-foot harvest from Reed
minimum is 4 feet except on Lake Walter F. George. Bingham State Park during the 2020 alligator season.
Black Bear Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Central Zone Black Bear Population Monitoring Management Plan for Black Bears in Georgia, the
Georgia’s Central Zone black bear population is most important parameter to track in central
monitored through a network of 180+ summer bait Georgia is annual female mortalities. Using this
station survey sites. parameter, no more than 11 dead females should be
recorded annually if the population is stable.
Central Zone bear bait station survey result between 2007-2020. Central Zone total female bear mortalities between 2003-2020.
Bait station survey results have been stable over In 2020, 5 bears were legally harvested from the
that period. The horizontal line is the survey goal of one-day, 3-county season. Harvest has averaged 9
45% visitation, meaning at least 45% of stations since 2011. Since the private lands season started
show evidence of bear attention. in 2011, 85 bears have been taken (56% females).
Prior to 2011, harvest was restricted to a one-day
hunt on Ocmulgee & Oaky Woods WMAs (1989
was last year for Oaky Woods & 2010 was last year
for Ocmulgee). The WMA hunts averaged
Black Bear Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Northern Zone Black Bear Population Monitoring Chestatee WMA (Lumpkin Co.) had both the
Bait station surveys have been conducted across highest total harvest (33) and the highest harvest
designated routes in north Georgia in July every per square mile (0.78 bears/HPSM) of any WMA
year or every other year since 1983. Visitation rates this season.
rose steadily from a low of 12.3% in 1983 to a high
of 76.7% in 2009. Bait stations were not conducted High Bear Harvest WMAs
in north Georgia in 2020 but are scheduled for WMA # Harvested HPSM
2021. Bear bait station surveys serve as an index to Chestatee 33 0.78
population change over time and help to determine Chattahoochee 26 0.66
bear population trends. Dawson Forest 14 0.35
Cohutta 30 0.2
Northern Zone Wildlife Management Areas with the highest
bear harvest.
North Georgia bear bait station survey result
between 1983–2019.
Radio collared black bear exiting den site.
North Georgia bear hunters enjoy one of the
longest bear seasons anywhere in North White County had the highest overall harvest (52
America. On private land, bear season runs bears) of any north Georgia county. Lumpkin
concurrently with deer season beginning with (51), Murray (51), and Gilmer (44) counties
archery on the 2nd Sat. in September and weren’t far behind.
concluding with firearms season on the 2nd Sun.
in January. In 2020, a 9-day bear dog-hunting To improve our understanding of the impacts, if
opportunity was offered for the 2nd consecutive any, of the new dog hunt on bears and to evaluate
year as a quota hunt on Chattahoochee and bear-dog interactions, for a 3rd year Game
Chestatee Wildlife Management Areas (~50k Management staff are trapping and fitting bears
acres total). Selected hunters (15) could bring up with GPS collars on Chattahoochee and Chestatee
to 9 additional hunters for a total of 10 hunters WMAs and on Cohutta WMA as a “control area.”
per party. The dog hunters were once again very Staff captured 37 bears as part of this research
successful, harvesting 0-7 bears per party being conducted in partnership with the University
(Average: 4, Median: 5) and a total of 53 bears of Georgia Warnell School. GPS collars were placed
over the 9-day period (16 males, 37 females). on hunting dogs used during the hunt.
Black Bear Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Bears in Georgia may enter a form of hibernation than 20 bears were captured to resolve complex
called “torpor” each winter. Staff conducted den human-bear conflicts.
checks on 6 collared bears denning in winter 2021.
Den types excavated ground dens (4), a rock
cavity, a rock outcrop (see photo above), and a
hollow tree. Approximately 83% of collared
females (38% of collared males) were known to
have spent time in a winter den. Average litter size
was 2.25 cubs/litter. Sex ratio of cubs was 7 males,
2 females.
Oak mast surveys are conducted across north
Georgia each August. This information is useful to
our hunters to increase hunter success, but also
helps biologists interpret trends observed in
nuisance bear behavior, harvest, and number of Bear with sarcoptic mange seen in Gordon County.
road-killed bears. In the mountains, oak mast was
technically rated “fair” in the fall of 2020 (Total Sarcoptic mange, which differs from the commonly
Oak Rating = 2.97). Although, from a practical seen demodectic mange, was confirmed from a
standpoint, oak mast seemed to be abundant in black bear found dead in Gordon County, GA in
2020 and red oak acorns seemed to persist into the January. The photo above, provided by the
spring of 2021. individual who discovered the bear carcass, was
apparently taken a few weeks earlier on the same
property. This represents the first and only
documented case of sarcoptic mange in bears in
Georgia. Sarcoptic mange in bears is more common
in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mange is not believed
to cause population-level impacts on bears in the
northeast, but its effect on southeastern bear
populations remains unknown at this time.
North Georgia mountains oaks mast survey and mortality results
between 1985 and 2020.
Game Management staff in north Georgia
responded to over 600 calls about bears,
spending more than 1,000 staff hours providing
technical guidance and hands-on assistance.
Although capturing bears is a last resort, more
Black Bear Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Southern Zone Black Bear Population Monitoring male, 82 female). This represents a record harvest,
Georgia’s Southern Zone black bear population is shattering the previous record from 2016 with a
monitored in cooperation with Okefenokee National 38% increase over the previous record. Harvest is
Wildlife Refuge staff through a network of 173 trending up and has averaged 156 over the last 5
summer bait station survey sites, and the collection of years and 134 during the last 10 years. The 10-year
data from harvested bears at fall check stations. harvest goal is 110 (dotted line on graph).
Bait station surveys have been conducted across Southern Zone Bear Harvest by Year
designated routes in South Georgia every year since 1981-2020
1994. While trending up through 2006 and tracking 250
well with increasing harvests, bear visits to summer 200
bait station sites have flattened in recent years in the
wake of habitat changes brought about by 3 major 150
wildfires that encompassed the entire Okefenokee 100
Swamp and much of the surrounding private
timberland. The 10-year survey goal is 36%. 50
0
1981
2011
1984
1987
2014
2017
2020
1990
1993
1996
1999
2002
2005
2008
Southern zone bear harvest data by year from 1981-2020.
South Georgia bear bait station survey data from 1994-2020.
Harvest opportunities in south Georgia are
primarily available on private lands in the 8
counties around the Okefenokee Swamp. Hunting
bear with dogs is a long-standing tradition in
southeast Georgia and is allowed on private lands
over four 3-day weekends in late September/early
October. Only still hunting is allowed on Dixon
Memorial WMA with open dates in archery,
primitive weapons, and firearms seasons. Total Adult black bear harvested from southern zone.
southern zone harvest for 2020 was 22 bears (140Deer Program Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Overview
The 2020-21 deer season was excellent with 209,154 deer
hunters taking 270,272 deer, slightly more than 2019-20.
Harvest estimates are determined through the Game Check
harvest reporting system and adjusted for reporting rates from
an annual telephone survey of active deer hunters. Hunter
satisfaction for the 2020-21 deer season was excellent with
91% of survey respondents rating their season as satisfactory,
good, or excellent. Fawn recruitment rates increased from last
year, but were still lower than the previous 5-year average.
Georgia’s new Deer Management Assisance Program (DMAP)
is progressing well with 87 cooperators managing over
120,000 acres of land. Program participants receive detailed
habitat and herdmanagement plans, harvest data analysis, and
assistance with camera surveys.
2020-21 Deer Harvest Summary
Physiographic Region Archery Muzzleloader Firearm
Blue Ridge Mountain Buck 427 67 2,454
Doe 833 114 428
Ridge and Valley Buck 1,167 149 9,784
Doe 2,011 195 6,934
Piedmont Buck 8,864 1,008 44,483
Doe 14,604 1,514 41,955
Upper Coastal Plain Buck 2,857 669 36,715
Doe 6,152 1,041 46,636
Lower Coastal Plain Buck 1,495 476 15,549
Doe 2,765 457 18,318
Total 41,175 5,691 223,255
Statewide Total 270,121Deer Program Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Long-term Harvest
Total Proportioned Harvest by Sex
1978 through 2020
500,000 70.0
Buck Harvest
450,000
Doe Harvest 60.0
400,000
Percent Does
350,000 50.0
Method Change
300,000
40.0
250,000
30.0
200,000
150,000 20.0
100,000
10.0
50,000
0 0.0
Total proportioned harvest of deer by sex between 1978-2020.
Disease
Hemorrhagic Disease Reports and Mortality Rates
Georgia is fortunate to
have a strong herd 450 74% 80%
immunity to hemorrhagic 400
Occurrences Mortality Rate
70%
disease, so outbreaks
350
capable of causing regional 60%
population declines are 300
50%
rare. 2020 had a typical 250 38% 35% 34% 40%
number of occurrences and 200
27% 26%
typical mortality rate. 30%
150 20% 20%
14% 12% 13% 20%
Chronic Wasting Disease 100
has not been found in 50 10%
0%
Georgia to date, however 0 0%
recent discoveries in
Arkansas, Mississippi, and
Tennessee have increased
Total hemorrhagic disease reports and mortality rates between 2009-2021.
our level of concern. WRD
biologists are continually monitoring the population and adapt our disease surveillance strategy whenever
new scientific information becomes available. WRD staff collected 1,357 samples in 2020-21.Deer Program Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Fawn Recruitment
Fawn recruitment is the ratio of fawns per adult doe that survive to deer season, which is one of the most
important measures of productivity of the deer population. Fawn recruitment has been relatively stable over
the last decade except for the last 2 years. WRD biologists will continue to closely monitor fawn recruitment
and other metrics for assessing herd reproduction.
Statewide Fawn Recruitment and Deer Density
1993 through 2020
0.80
0.75 Recruitment
Number of Fawns per Doe
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.40
1993-94
1998-99
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2019-20
2020-21
2014-15
2016-17
2017-18
2000-01
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2015-16
2018-19
1996-97
2006-07
1994-95
1997-98
1999-00
2004-05
2007-08
1995-96
2005-06
Statewide fawn recruitment and deer density between 1993-2020.
As a result of significant declines in the deer population
on the Chattahoochee National Forest and associated
WMAs, a fawn mortality study was launched in 2017.
Over the course of the project 70 fawns were captured,
radio-collared, and monitored for mortality. Fawn
survival probability was determined to be 16.8% (very
low) and predation by coyotes and bears was the leading
cause of death. The next phase of this study may include
some experimental deer stocking and predator reduction.
Fawn bedded down.Deer Program Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Research
Deep southwest Georgia is locally known for having one of the latest peak rut periods in the state, however
the sample size of conception dates is inadequate to pinpoint peak times. WRD biologists began working with
private landowners in February 2020 to collect fetal conception dates in a 10-county area in the southwestern
corner of the state. To date, landowner cooperators have collected 150 deer on the project. The preliminary
results shown below may change as sample size increases.
Average peak breeding dates for white-tailed deer by county in southwest Georgia, 2019-2021. Data for counties with a sample sizeForest Management Unit
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
The goal for the Forest Management Unit (FMU) is
Number of Sales and Acres Sold
to conduct silvicultural activities to create or
enhance wildlife habitat. This year harvests were 45 9000
completed on 9 Wildlife Management Areas 40 8000
(WMA) and one State Park. There were 35 7000
approximately 3,169 acres thinned, 805 acres of 30 6000
regeneration harvest, and 501 acres salvaged due to 25 5000
damage from insects and storm damage conducted 20 4000
in fiscal year 2020-2021. The average value per acre
15 3000
was $792.75 with an average value per ton of
10 2000
$14.56. A total of 243,695 tons were harvested this
fiscal year for a total of $3,547,578.81. 5 1000
0 0
Timber Sales
Number of timber sales and timber sold between 2011-2021.
Timber Revenue History
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$0
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2002
2004
2006
2008
Forester 4 Michael Staton cruising timber. Timber revenue totals between 2002-2020.Forest Management Unit
Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
FY 2020-2021 Accomplishments:
• Inventoried 50 WMAs and produced a first run
harvest scheduler. This process will continue to
improve as more WMAs are inventoried.
• Conducted 35 miles of roadwork totaling $102,059.
• Installed gates and bridges on 5 WMAs
totaling $78,243.
• Reforested 746 acres.
• Conducted 1,031 acres of seedling survival checks.
• Marked 4,545 acres for sales.
• Prescribed burned 6,163 acres.
• Completed 236 prescribed burn evaluations.
• Completed 47 hours of continuing education.
Special Recognition
The FMU Foresters and Technician were awarded
the WRD Group Achievement Award this year.
This group is well deserving for their dedication to
wildlife habitat and hardwood improvement across
the state.
Before (top) and after (bottom) pictures of habitat management
work at Hart County WMA.
Log mats to protect road and meet Best Management Dual purpose road built at Ocmulgee PFA.
Practices (BMPs).Hunter Development Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) participants enjoyed an education packed weekend
NASP continues to be a strong program in with in-classroom instructions covering Turkey 101,
Georgia’s physical education and agricultural gun safety and fit, shotgun patterning, and habitat
education classes. This year’s tournament season management. Participants also received in-depth
presented extra challenges because of Covid-19 training on the differences in turkey calls and how to
restrictions and protocols implemented at the state use them properly from the experienced guides. In
and local school district levels. the afternoon, participants enjoyed fishing in the
beautiful lake on-site and time on the range working
on their shotgun, rifle, and archery skills. Best of all,
the entire group spent time sitting around a late
afternoon campfire sharing hunting stories.
WRD Director Ted Will presents NASP winners with
scholarship checks.
Despite Covid restrictions, during the 2020–2021
school year, 4,362 archers competed at 31 District
tournaments held at local schools throughout the state Adult turkey Hunt and Learn participants at Chattahoochee Fall
between October and January. Qualification for the Line WMA: Hilliard Plantation Tract.
State Championship was based on scores achieved at
the District tournaments. Mike Commander Shooting Range
The Mike Commander Shooting Range reopened in
The 2021 Georgia NASP State Championship was held March after a complete renovation. The range offers
virtually at NASP schools throughout the state. Seven opportunities for different types of shooters including
hundred thirty-six archers representing 35 schools a: 25-yard pistol range, 200-yard rifle range, 7
participated in the State Championship. position static archery range that extends from 10–50
yards, 4 position archery tower that ranges from 20–
Hunt and Learns 50 yards for bowhunting enthusiasts, and a 3D
The Hunter Development Program (HDP) archery trail with 20 different target positions to
partnered with Region 5 Game Management and expand bow hunting skills. The range also offers a
conducted an adult turkey Hunt and Learn located classroom that seats 40 participants reserved for
on the Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA: Hilliard hunter education classes, organizational programs,
Plantation Tract. During this Hunt and Learn the and training, and much more.Hunter Development Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
New Staff
Kristen Nienstedt joined the Hunter Development
Program as a Hunting and Shooting Education
Specialist. She will be located at the Riverbend
WMA office. Kristen recently graduated from
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.
The newly renovated Mike Commander Shooting Range.
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
Despite the Challenges of COVID-19, over 600
students participated this season in the 2020-
2021 SCTP. Five hundred students shot in the GA
State meet.
HDP has nine certification courses across the state
for SCTP coaches scheduled though the Scholastic New Hunting and Shooting Education Specialist Kristen Nienstedt.
Shooting Sports Foundation. So far this year we
have trained and certified 13 new SCTP coaches.
SCTP coaches attending a certification course.Migratory Bird Program
Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
In FY 20-21, WRD's Migratory Bird Program: • Captured and banded 1,857 Mourning Doves.
• Captured and banded 342 Wood Ducks. These data allow us to estimate the annual
These data are included with Atlantic band recovery and harvest rates. Fortunately,
Flyway data to set federal hunting harvest rates have remained stable for the
regulation frameworks. last decade.
Dove band recovery and harvest rates between 2003 and 2020.
Adult male Wood Duck (top) and juvenile female Wood
Duck (bottom).
• Issued 73 permits to allow landowners to
Biologists band an American Woodcock.
manage nuisance problems caused by
Canada Geese.
• Captured and banded 48 American
• The water control structure at the Blanton
Woodcock, including 11 with satellite
Creek waterfowl impoundment is almost
transmitters in partnership with a larger
completed. The crew will wrap up a few
multi-state research project.
remaining items this summer. The completion
• The migratory game bird and alligator
of this project will allow staff to adjust the water
projects leader, Greg Balkcom, retired at the
on 50 acres of wetlands.
end of March.Private Lands Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
The Private Lands Program (PLP) and Bobwhite 5,500 acres enrolled in EQIP. Contracts include
Quail Initiative (BQI) continued to get back to full 2,000 acres of prescribed burning and 1,400 acres
strength in 2021. Erin Cork and Tony Kroeger of timber stand improvement practices among
joined the team in July and Jesse Kamps joined in others to improve habitat for quail within the BQI
February. In addition, Forrest Marchington Focal Landscapes.
migrated north to increase assistance to
landowners in northeast Georgia. PLP and BQI
have also increased assistance to private
landowners through a partnership with Quail
Forever (QF). In the past year they have hired 3
new biologists (Miranda Gulsby, Jennifer Ward
and Autumn Patterson), an outreach coordinator
(Hanna Hodges) and a Precision Ag Specialist
(Chaz Holt). This partnership helped the Division
hire Henry Brewer as a part time technician to
help with bird, habitat, and predator surveys on Dallas Ingram presented the National Bobwhite Conservation
the quail focal areas. Initiative’s Fire Bird Conservation Award to Burner Bob.
Increased use of precision agriculture technology
has given us a new avenue for pinpointing where
unproductive farmland could be converted to
wildlife habitat. In partnership with Quail Forever,
PLP and BQI began a pilot project in Baker,
Calhoun, and Decatur Counties. QF’s Precision
Agriculture Specialist was able to show a farmer
that he was losing about $500/acre farming 40
acres of marginal land. Using BQI tag funds, staff
Miller County where Mary Nieminen worked with WCS and are working with this landowner and others to
NRCS staff to develop a plan to restore upland portions of increase farm profits by converting these areas to
flatwood salamander habitat using EQIP funds. quail habitat.
PLP biologists have assisted landowners in BQI was able to assist Golden Triangle Resource
securing 53 Environmental Quality Incentive Conservation and Development Council (RC&D)
Program (EQIP) contracts through the Natural with the purchase a burn trailer for landowners in
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Southwest Georgia. The trailer contains equipment
Contracts will improve 8,182 acres for wildlife. like drip torches, backpack blowers, signage, and
Practices include 7,558 acres of prescribed hand tools that a landowner can borrow to get
burning, 1,689 acres of forest stand improvement, more acres burned. There will be more of these
and 12,410 feet of new hedgerows. coming online across the state in FY 22 and PLP and
BQI look forward to working with local RC&Ds to
The BQI program signed 23 new cooperator promote these valuable resources for landowners.
contracts with landowners to further enhancePrivate Lands Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Other Accomplishments in FY 2020-2021:
• Despite Covid-19 restrictions staff still
participated in 28 outreach events reaching
over 1,000 people. Topics included quail,
pollinators, frogs, plants and prescribed fire,
and the audiences ranged from elementary
students to conservation professionals.
• Conducted Fall Covey Counts on 9 WMAs, 1
private property and Oconee National Forest;
Youth Quail Hunt organized by Diana McGrath in Bleckley County.
thanks to the help of over 20 DNR staff, 3 QF
staff and 57 volunteers. Mary Nieminen worked on over 30 EQIP contracts
• Spring counts were completed on 32 WMAs that will provide funding to improve wildlife
(up from 23 in FY 2020), one private property habitat on over 3,500 acres in 6 counties in
and Oconee National Forest; thanks to the help southwest Georgia.
from 19 DNR staff 12 Volunteers and 3 QF staff.
Diana McGrath and Tony Kroeger were immensely
helpful in organizing and training staff for a project
that banded 53 quail at Elmodel and 47 at River
Creek WMA. Banding already produced some
interesting information on hatch dates and we hope
to learn more from the band return data.
Bobwhite Hatch Dates
30
Number of Indivduals
20
10
0
FY 2021 Technical Assistance Summary
May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Properties Acres Counties
Total Elmodel Rivercreek
New 372 126,906
Follow-up 194 84,053 Bobwhite hatch dates on two southwest Georgia WMAs between May
and October 2020.
Total 566 210,959 121
Allison Colter presented a management plan to
Special Recognition Oconee National Forest as part of a multiyear
Diana McGrath led the effort with other program project to improve management on their Quail
and QF staff to host four youth quail hunting events Focal Area. Allison has done a great job of
on private properties in Twiggs, Emanuel, Turner, considering multiple objectives for the Forest
and Bleckley Counties. The PLP and BQI programs Service and we look forward to seeing another
greatly appreciate the landowner’s willingness to great hunting opportunity on public land.
share their time, property, and passion for quail.Sapelo Island NERR
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Overview This cooperative effort of both NOAA and GA
Due to COVID impacts, the Sapelo Island National DNR-WRD will help align both agencies basic
Estuarine Research Reserve’s (SINEER) educational communications strategies and methods with
programming, public tours and group tours were existing communications and outreach efforts.
put on hold in spring 2020. They restarted in June • Storage rooms in the Long Tabby and Education
(teacher workshops), July (public & group tours)
Building have been renovated into new offices.
and August (school group visits).
The Research Program hosted a few researchers Partnerships
periodically, where that could be done safely. The • Sapelo Island Manager replaced the Sapelo
Stewardship Program continued to do project Lighthouse nature trail boardwalk thanks to
planning and coordination work with colleagues $175K in funding from NOAA.
and contractors remotely. SINERR received two • The Reserve has been working to implement a
large grants totaling $565K for renovation of the Georgia Sea Grant State Fellow and an
Nature Trail. Staff worked with consultants to Internship in partnership with the on-island
develop a concept plan for expanding and nonprofit, Sapelo Island Cultural &
renovating the Visitors Center. The Island Manager Revitalization Society (SICARS).
Fred Hay also completed a major “make-over” of
the Sapelo Lighthouse site, including refurbishing
the tower, adding a large new picnic pavilion, a
short new trail and replacing the boardwalk to the
steel tower site.
The new Sapelo Lighthouse nature trail boardwalk.
The Sapelo Island Lighthouse. Research
• The first NERRS Davidson Fellow, Sydney
Administration Williams, began fieldwork on Sapelo.
• Submitted the draft Management Plan for National • Developed a new Estuarine Fish Monitoring
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative and began trawl sampling in spring
review in February 2021. yielding 58 species and 12,000+ fish to date.
• The first Communications Plan for SINERR is in • Began vegetation monitoring of the Sentinel Site
development with assistance from a consultant. using drone as part of a multi-Reserve project.Sapelo Island NERR
Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
• Installed two Sediment Elevation Tables (SETs) • Replaced exterior panels and windows on the
at the Sentinel Site and continued to monitor marsh side, painted handrails on steps and
revegetation of tidal marsh upstream of bridge. ramp, and upgraded audio and visual
projection equipment.
Staff trawl sampling as part of the new Estuarine Fishing
Monitoring Cooperative.
Sapelo Island Visitor’s center.
Education
Stewardship
• Conducted several online lectures and
• Worked with DNR Engineering and
coordinated with local teachers on the Seeds to
Construction to receive bids on the planned
Shoreline project.
major renovation of the Nature Trail. The
• Held two Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) work will be funded by a $300K grant from
professional development workshops. NOAA and $265K grant from the
• Created New outdoor exhibits on Storm Surge Recreational Trails Program.
and SETs. • Made solid progress on design and
• Adam represented WRD on Shoreline Cleanup implementation plans for repairing the
Assessment Team for Golden Ray disaster. Ashantilly Living Shoreline.
• Assisted the University of Georgia Marine • Re-started on-island projects with Friends of
Institute (UGAMI) with student programs, Sapelo volunteers at the nature trail, Sapelo
maintained the Nature Trail, and helped with Lighthouse, and native gardens at Long Tabby.
Estuarine Fish Monitoring Coop trawl surveys. • Suzanne served on the NERR’s national Strategic
Committee as the Stewardship representative.
Visitors Center
• Sapelo Island visitor numbers are way down
due to COVID, but the Visitors Center
remained open for occasional guests to enjoy
the exhibits and displays.
• Developed a grant proposal with DNR
Engineering and Construction totaling roughly
$1 million for an expansion and the renovation
of exhibits and displays. The proposal will be
submitted in early 2022. Friends of Sapelo volunteer assisting with native gardens project.Urban Wildlife Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
The Game Management Section’s Urban Wildlife In addition to response efforts, the UWP also
Program (UWP) continues to provide human- provided over 40 outreach and education
wildlife conflict assistance to the residents of opportunities, including presenting to students at
Metro-Atlanta (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Resources, Statewide Park Managers Meeting,
counties). During this fiscal year, the UWP nearly Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit-P’s Monthly
doubled the amount of technical assistance Meeting and as an invited speaker at The Wildlife
provided technical assistance to customers, from Society’s Urban Wildlife Conference.
1,329 in FY19 – 20 to 2,626 in FY20 – 21.
As part of an effort to increase and maintain urban
Calls by County hunting opportunities, the UWP and other WRD
July 2020 – June 2021 staff members met with the City of Marietta,
Consolidated Government of Columbus, City of
Number of calls
1200 1106 Peachtree Corners, and City of Dunwoody to
1000 discuss archery hunting in city limits. The UWP
800 also joined the Cobb County Hunting Advisory
600 399
400
318 Committee. The UWP hosted two “Community
188 189 160
200 77 52 59 78 Deer Management Workshops” in Buford and
0 Alpharetta that included presentations from the
Deer Management Assistance Program and
wildlife Services.
County
Number of calls by county between July 2020 and June 2021 (n=2,626).
Nature of Call
July 2020 – June 2021
Sick, Injured,
4%2% Orphaned
In Area, In Yard
8% 4%
In Structure
2% UWP Program Manager Kaitlin Goode presents at a Community
33% Threatened Deer Management Workshop.
Human/Animal
Property Damage
Partnering with University of Georgia (UGA) Warnell
Dead Animal Professor, Dr. Michel Kohl, the UWP created the Urban
47% Wildlife Working Group in Metro-Atlanta comprised of
Other key stakeholders in urban wildlife conservation, including
the Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Audubon
Nature of calls by county between July 2020 and June 2021 (n=2,626). Society, Fernbank, and Chattahoochee Nature Center.
The UWP Working Group has met four times over this
fiscal year and has plans to expand the Group to includeUrban Wildlife Program
Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
invitations to the Riverkeepers, Trout Unlimited, Zoo Another new research project was initiated by the
Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium. In addition to leading UWP this fiscal year looking at locations of deer
the Urban Wildlife Working Group, the UWP is also injured on fences. Deer-fence injuries is one of the
taking part in the Atlanta Animal Welfare UWP’s top calls, particularly in the fall. Plotting the
Professional’s monthly meeting. This group is call locations showed a pattern of most being located
comprised of different animal control agencies across along the Chattahoochee River. UWP Technicians
the Metro-Atlanta area and designed to share went to these locations and collected data about
information about domestic and wild animals. fence type and height. Of the 59 locations of deer
injured on fences, 85% of the fences were wrought
The UWP worked with the Public Affairs Program to iron fences.
do the Division’s first “social media takeover”. Social
Media manager, Denise Shepard, rode along with the
UWP for a week highlighting the different calls the
Program responded to. The social media takeover
was very well received and created five different
videos plus additional content that can be used for
later messaging.
The UWP is currently collaborating with the UGA
Deer Lab on an immobilization research project
comparing current chemical immobilization drugs
and techniques to a new immobilization drug and
new techniques. UGA Deer Lab has conducted three
of the eight treatments so far. The final five Map of deer vs. fence injury locations.
treatments will take place in the fall with preliminary
results available shortly afterward. The UWP assists in disease monitoring through the
collection of carcass or samples and submission to
Southeastern Wildlife Disease Cooperative. This
disease monitoring includes Chronic Wasting Disease,
Rabbit Hemorrhagic disease, Sarcoptic Mange,
Echinococcus, and tick surveillance.
Establishing and maintaining relationships with
local first responders and animal control agencies
is one of the UWP primary goals. During the last
fiscal year, the UWP met with Animal Control
agencies from Fulton, Forsyth, Fayette, and
DeKalb. The UWP also began offering Wildlife
Conflict Response training opportunities to first
UWP assists UGA Deer Lab with an immobilization drug project. responders. The UWP also worked with Marietta
Police Department to capture and relocate a bear
from the city limits of Marietta.Wild Turkey Program
Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
In FY2021, WRD’s Wild Turkey Program: Avid Hunter Survey
• Continued and expanded long-term The spring turkey population is indexed through
monitoring of turkey populations statewide, cooperators reporting their daily hunting statistics
through production and harvest surveys. throughout the turkey hunting season. Two metrics
• Initiated a public education campaign to calculated include hours it takes to harvest a turkey
inform hunters of wild turkey declines in (a measure of hunter effort), and gobblers heard
Georgia and the need for turkey regulation per hour (an index of the male turkey population).
changes, resulting in the Board of Natural Statewide, it took an average of 32 hours to harvest
Resources’ approval of several statewide a turkey in 2021, slightly down from 33 hours in
regulation changes. 2020. Note: Data presented are preliminary, as not all
• Supported turkey research in the survey results have been received for the 2021 season.
Georgia Piedmont.
Population and Harvest Monitoring
Production Survey
The Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has been
monitoring wild turkey poult production
statewide since 1978. As part of this monitoring,
DNR personnel and volunteers record all turkeys
seen with or without poults, during June, July, and
August. Average observed poults per hen are
calculated for each year and compared with the
long-term data set as an index of turkey
population health.
Poults per hen values have decreased markedly
since the survey began in 1978. In 2020, an
average of 1.4 poults per hen were observed, Hours to harvest a turkey by physiographic region, 2021.
which is slightly below the 5-year average of 1.46
poults per hen.
Average poults per hen observed in Georgia 1978–2020. Gobblers heard per hour 1979–2021. (*Preliminary data)Wild Turkey Program
Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
Regulation Changes be above the 30% threshold considered sustainable
In response to turkey population declines and for a turkey population.
hunter feedback, the turkey program initiated an
educational campaign and eventually proposed Banded Males
statewide changes to the spring turkey season Harvested
dates and bag limits. These regulation changes 2020 2021
were approved by the Board of Natural Resources recovery recovery
in May. The changes on private and public lands are WMA 2020 2021 Total rate rate
intended to lower adult male mortality and reduce Ceylon 3 2 5 60% 50%
disruption to breeding by limiting the removal of Dawson
3 3 6 50%
gobblers during the weeks leading up to peak Forest
incubation by hens. Di-Lane 0 1 1 0% 100%
Yuchi 1 4 5 13% 0%
Blanton Creek 0 4 4 80%
Statewide Turkey Public Land Turkey Bullard Creek 0 11 11 34%
Regulations Regulations*
Coosawattee 0 4 4 50%
Season runs 1st Saturday Season runs 2nd Saturday in Total 7 29 36 33% 55%
after March 26 – May 15 April to May 15
(opener delayed by one
week) Statewide season and daily
bag limits and limit of 1
Season bag limit reduced gobbler per area (WMA,
to 2 gobblers VPA, National Forest, other
federal lands)
Daily bag limit of 1 gobbler
implemented
*(WMAs, VPAs, National Forest)
Gobbler Banding
Winter 2021 was the second year of banding
gobblers on WMAs to estimate spring harvest
rates using band recovery data. The effort was
expanded to 8 WMAs, up from 4 in 2020. In
total, 74 males were banded, and 33% of those
bands were recovered. Recovery rate of
bandings is defined as the number of banded
birds that are reported harvested in the hunting
season immediately following the banding of the The gobbler banding effort would not have been possible without
bird. While small sample sizes limit the the tremendous commitment of time and effort from region staff.
interpretation of banding data, preliminary data
suggest that harvest rates for several WMAs mayRegion 1 Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Turkey hunting opportunities continued to remain
strong in Region 1 in FY 2021. This season 5,594
hunters signed in on Region 1 WMA’s and VPA’s.
They harvested 354 birds accounting for 33% of
the total statewide WMA harvest. Out of the top
10 DNR properties for total harvest, 5 are in region
1. This includes Paulding Forest which saw a total
harvest of 68 making it the highest harvest WMA
in the state. Cohutta WMA tied for second with 43.
Road improvements on Otting WMA allowed fisheries staff to
resume stocking trout in this section of East Fork Little River.
We continue to strive to find ways to collaborate
with internal and external partners. Within the past
year we were proud to work with State Parks,
Fisheries Management, Wildlife Conservation, Law
Enforcement, the Urban Wildlife Program, U.S.
Forest Service, Wildlife Services, the Army Corp of
Engineers, local governments, Trout Unlimited and
the Nature Conservancy just to name a few.
Before and after photo of mulching work on Joe Kurz WMA.
Many of the habitat management projects
completed throughout the year are beneficial for
turkeys. We completed multiple mulching projects
which will have direct benefits for turkeys.
Assisting Fisheries Management with the installation of fish
attractors on West Point Lake.
Mulching work on J.L. Lester WMA.Region 1 Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
In FY20–21, Region 1:
• Burned 13,230 acres on 15 different DNR
properties. This year was the best in
memory for prescribed burning. Fire effects
have been great, and staff hope to achieve
similar acreage totals in future years.
• Planted and cultivated 456 acres of dove
fields providing opportunity for dove hunters.
• Spread 2,658 tons of gravel improving
access on 11 DNR managed properties.
• Handled a wide variety of nuisance calls
including some interesting situations.
Prescribed burn on Rich Mountain WMA
The jug was successfully removed from this bears head.
Special Recognition
Loading gravel on Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA.
• Bob Andrews was promoted to Wildlife Tech
2. Jessica Dowdy was promoted to Admin
Support 1. Jake Melton was promoted from a
day laborer to Wildlife Tech 1.
• Wildlife Tech 3 Patrick Goble reached the
20 years of service benchmark.
• Region 1 added several new employees
including: Wildlife Tech 1 Walker
Shortnacy, Day laborer Anthony Cooper,
and hourly clerical worker Debbie Hill.
Youth Dove hunt participants at J.L. Lester WMA.Region 2 Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Overall, Region 2 had a successful fall and early Region 2 again hosted the dog-bear quota hunt, run
WMA deer hunting season, but worth special concurrently on Chestatee and Chattahoochee
mention is the record year at Dawson Forest WMA WMAs in late September and early October. It was
(DFWMA). DFWMA is a quality buck hunt another productive hunt; 53 bears were harvested
requiring bucks to have at least four points on one and there was no reported law enforcement nor
side of the antler. Even with this restriction, hunt administration problems.
DFWMA deer hunters harvested a very impressive
99 bucks.
Successful dog-bear hunters at Chestatee WMA.
Region 2 has a high human population – just under
3 million people live in its 22 counties – and
One of 99 quality bucks harvested from Dawson Forest WMA
experiences a high volume of wildlife conflict calls.
during the 2020-2021 hunting season.
Region 2 associates spent over 2,100 hours on
One of the reasons why DFWMA and other Region 1,600 contacts with the public. Bear complaints
2 WMA’s support healthy wildlife populations is the consume the largest portion of staff time.
Region’s thriving planted wildlife opening program.
In parts of northeast Georgia, especially on National
Forest lands where timber management is lacking,
planted wildlife openings serve an important role in
the provision of food and cover.
Distribution of wildlife conflict complaint staff time by species.
Planted Region 2 WMA Wildlife Opening. Bears dominate Region 2 staff time.Region 2 Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
and its impact on in-person educational programming,
Wildlife Interpretative Specialist, Kathy Church, still
was able to reach a wide audience. The Smithgall
Woods Regional Education Center remarkably
provided 349 programs for 9,180 participants.
Kathy also turned her attention to producing videos
to reach a larger audience with her programming.
She and support staff produced 25 online videos that
have garnered 25,708 views with reach of least A Buck Shoals WMA youth turkey hunter with a mature gobbler
50,785 end users. Two of her videos were featured and a happy young angler with his first catfish catch at one of
the Family Fishing Events.
on the WRD YouTube series, “Talking Nature
Tuesday” and 4 videos were featured on “Georgia
Farm Monitor”. Kathy Church's video on prescribed
burning was widely praised for its content and
quality, even being featured by the U.S. Forest
Service’s Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
WMA staff repair a road culvert.
A screenshot from Kathy Church’s “Talking Nature Tuesday”
prescribed burning video.
Special Recognition
Wildlife Technician IV, David Reed, was recognized
Buck Shoals WMA continues to be a place where by his Game Management Section for his excellent
special memories are made for youth and their customer service skills and was awarded the 2020
families. Region 2 staff manage this WMA Customer Service Award.
especially for youth and family-oriented activities
such as Youth Turkey and Deer hunts and Family Wildlife Technician II, Trent Blalock, was awarded
Fishing Events. the Game Management Section Wildlife
Technician of the Year award.
Region staff completed over 400 miles of WMA
road enhancements, including an emergency
culvert repair at Dawson Forest WMA caused a
heavy rainfall event last fall.Region 3 Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Region 3 saw another increase in overall WMA migration study will show where and how
users this past year. It was especially noticed with woodcock migrate, what stopover habitats they
a 7% increase in the number of deer hunters this use, how far they travel with each step, and even
past year. The region also saw an increase in non- what altitude they fly on their way back to the
traditional users including campers, hikers, and bird breeding grounds. So far this season, the average
watchers outside of hunting seasons. longest distance between any two locations was
337 miles, up from 328 miles in 2020. The average
Overall harvest was down for both deer and turkey first major movement from the trap site was 211
this past year. There were increases in turkey miles down from 239 miles in 2020.
harvest at Oaky Woods, Rum Creek and Yuchi
WMAs. Yuchi WMA was our best area for turkeys
with hunters harvesting 31 turkeys this year.
Several WMAs had both an increase in hunter
participation and an increase in deer harvest,
especially on our smaller WMAs (Region 3 Accomplishments
FY 2020–2021
In FY20–21, Region 3: Needed Collected
• Handled over 1,800 requests for technical CWD Samples 290 318
assistance with 95% of those being conflict County buck data 224 315
wildlife calls. Most of those calls came from County doe data 224 283
Columbia and Richmond Counties in the CWD and County Deer data.
metro Augusta area.
• Participated in Hunt and Learn programs,
Teacher Workshops, and other informational
and educational programs in schools across
the region.
• Collected county level white-tailed deer
data and Chronic Wasting Disease
(CWD) samples.
• Prescribed burned 12,161 acres this year
exceeding the annual regional average of
~9,000 acres.
Prescribed burn at Clybel WMA.
• Improved 3,000 acres by seasonally disking,
mowing, and/or herbiciding overgrown
Special Recognition
vegetation in fields, field borders and timber
Andy Mays won the NWTF Wildlife Technician of
stands that prescribed fire did not control.
the year award for all his outstanding work
• Created 100 acres of small clearcuts within
improving the early successional habitat on Clybel
thinned pine stands to provide enhanced
Wildlife Management Area.
brood-rearing habitat for bobwhite quail
and wild turkeys.
Wildlife Technicians Jerome Hay and Clifton
• Stumped 28 acres of brood fields to utilize
Rushton were promoted to Wildlife Technician III,
winter disking to maintain these openings
and Bobby Lord was promoted to Wildlife
in optimal vegetation to provide the cover
Technician Supervisor.
and forage.
• Maintained and/or planted over 3,000
Senior Wildlife Biologist I.B. Parnell received his 20
acres in food plots & openings 700 acres of
years of Faithful Service Award and Administrative
dove fields.
Assistant, Rachelle Rivers received her 15 years of
Faithful Service Award. Wildlife Technician Jerome
Hay and Jacob Reese received 5 years of Faithful
Service Awards.
Seasonal disking at Di-Lane WMA.Region 4 Annual Highlights
FY 2020–2021
Region 4 recreation lands increased by 502 acres Hunters reported harvesting 11 banded birds
this year with the addition of 2 new properties (34%), indicating an intense harvest under
enrolled in the USDA NRCS Voluntary Public current regulations.
Access (VPA) program. Scotland Road and Cedar
Grove VPAs in Laurens County were made
available by owners Andrew and Faye Chappell.
The areas opened in December 2020 for archery
deer and small game hunting.
Allen Smith and Jim Gillis releasing banded gobbler.
New Cedar Grove VPA area sign. Region 4 and HDP Shooting Sports staff, TNC
manager Chuck Martin, and volunteers held a first
Local staff and other DNR volunteers started a new ever Hunt and Learn workshop in October hunting
project this year on Bullard Creek WMA as part of squirrels with dogs on Moody Forest WMA.
a statewide effort to estimate hunting season Attendees drove from all over Georgia and
impacts on male wild turkeys. Thirty-two turkeys thoroughly enjoyed their day.
were captured using cannon nets and banded, the
highest number on any site in the state.
Greg Nelms with hunter at Moody Forest WMA Hunt and Learn
Staff repacking cannon net after successful turkey capture.
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